GONORRHEA

GONORRHEA:
     Gonorrhea also known as "the clap" is a common sexually transmitted infection. It is also visible in the genital tract, mouth and rectum.

CAUSES:
      Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium called Neisseria gonorrheae.
    
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: 

• Unprotected sexual contact (including, vaginal, anal and oral sex)
• Can be transmitted through vaginal and seminal fluids
• Can be passed by the mother to her baby by vaginal childbirth

SYMPTOMS:
     Neisseria gonorrheae bacteria can live in vaginal fluid and in semen. Incubation period may take from 2 to 14 days. Symptoms usually appear within 4 to 6 days after you are infected.
     The following are the symptoms of Gonorrhea:
     
     MALES: 

• Infectious urethritis (inflammation of the urethra)
• Painful or burning sensation while urinating
• urinating urgency
•  abdominal pain
• Unsual discharge of puss from the penis (yellow, white or green in color)
• fever
• cramps
• nausea or vomitting 
• anal discharge and bleeding, pain in bowel movement if infection is in rectum
• If not treated infertility

     FEMALES:

• Dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse)
• Dysuria (painful urination)
•  Fever
• urinary urgency
• vaginal discharge and bleeding
•  cramps
• nausea or vomitting
• anal dicharge and itching, pain in bowel movement if infection is in rectum
• Difficulty in pregnancy (ectopic pregnancy and other dangerous complications of prenancy)
• infertility

     Eye Disease:

• neonatal and adult blindness by conjunctivitis

     Other Conditions:

• Proctitis (inflammation of the rectum)  
• skin lesions 
• joint infection (pain and swelling joints) 
• meningitis 
• endocarditis 
• epididymitis 
• prostitis 
• pelvic inflammatory disease 
• perihepatitis 
• septic abortion
• chorioamnionitis during pregnancy 

PREVENTION:
    
     Gonorrhea is spread by sexual contact with an infected person. Avoiding all forms of sexual activity is the only absolute way to prevent from being infected.
     However, safe sex practices may reduce your risk. The proper use of latex condoms, either the male or female type, greatly decreases the risk of catching a sexually transmitted disease. You need to wear the condom from the beginning to the end of each sexual activity.
      
Treatment:

     Gonorrhea may be treated with the right medicines prescribed by the doctors.
     Treatment failure is possible with HIV co-infection and extended therapy is sometimes required.
     
IMPORTANT NOTE:

• Do not self-medicate on any kind of Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Have yourself tested if you have symptoms of Gonorrhea
• If you had sexual contact with a person known to have STIs.
• If you are engaging in high-risk sexual practices.

PROGNOSIS:

     Prognosis is excellent with proper treatment. Treating sexual contacts of affected individual helps break cycle of infection.









Sources:
Fishbein's Illustarted Medical and Health Encyclopedia
www.wikipedia.org
www.epigee.org